The Middle Ages showed a renewed interest in labyrinths and a design more complex
than the classical seven-circuit labyrinth became popular.

This was an eleven-circuit design divided into
four quadrants. It was often found in Gothic Cathedrals but over time many of these
eleven-circuit designs were destroyed or intentionally removed.

The most famous of these remaining labyrinths
is at Chartres Cathedral near Paris, France. The labyrinth at Chartres was built around
1200 and is laid into the floor in a style sometimes referred to as a pavement maze. The
original center piece has been removed and other areas of the labyrinth have been
restored.

This labyrinth was meant to be walked but is
reported to be infrequently used today. In the past it could be walked as a pilgrimage
and/or for repentance. As a pilgrimage it was a questing, searching journey with the hope
of becoming closer to God. When used for repentance the pilgrims would walk on their
knees. Sometimes this eleven-circuit labyrinth would serve as a substitute for an actual
pilgrimage to Jerusalem and as a result came to be called the "Chemin de
Jerusalem" or Road of Jerusalem.

In walking the Chartres style labyrinth the
walker meanders through each of the four quadrants several times before reaching the goal.
An expectancy is created as to when the center will be reached. At the center is a rosette
design which has a rich symbolic value including that of enlightenment. The four arms of
the cross are readily visible and provide significant Christian symbolism.